Dyslexia and Neurodivergence: Clara Morgan’s Journey of Discovery and Empowerment.
Dyslexia, a condition often misunderstood or overlooked, brings its own unique challenges and gifts. Today, we’re thrilled to share the inspiring story of Clara Morgan, a highly accomplished businesswoman, creative, and mother, who has embraced her neurodivergence and turned it into a superpower. Clara’s journey is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the strength found in authenticity. A woman who has embraced dyslexia and neurodivergence to unlock her potential and turn it into her superpower.
Clara and I have been friends for years. Over countless conversations, we’ve shared laughs, insights, and a shared appreciation for tackling life’s challenges with humour and grit. (Not to mention a few debates over who’s got the more creative approach to life’s curveballs!) Her story is as much about navigating the unexpected as it is about thriving despite it—or maybe because of it.
Discovering Dyslexia in the Midst of Family Revelations
Clara’s journey into understanding dyslexia began with her children. Her daughter, Jill, was the first to be diagnosed with dyslexia, a revelation that turned into a mirror for Clara’s own experiences. As she supported Jill through school challenges and breakthroughs, Clara started recognizing traits in herself that she’d always dismissed as quirks. This simultaneous discovery is not uncommon, as dyslexia often runs in families, leading parents to identify similar patterns in themselves when their children are diagnosed.
Suddenly, decades of feeling different began to make sense.
But it didn’t stop there. Clara’s son, Jack, was later diagnosed with ADHD. His diagnosis led Clara down another path of self-discovery, where she began questioning the dynamics of her family’s neurodivergence. It became clear that understanding her children meant better understanding herself and even her former partner.
Dyslexia and Neurodivergence: A Journey of Realisation
When Clara first learned of her dyslexia in her early 40s, it wasn’t the earth-shattering revelation one might expect. By then, she had already carved out an impressive career, and dyslexia hadn’t held her back. But it did offer clarity. It explained why mechanical tasks had always been a challenge and why her creativity often soared in ways that baffled others.
Clara vividly recalls childhood moments, like struggling to write her name without jumbling the letters. “It all made sense in hindsight,” she says. “I realised I’d been navigating life with dyslexia all along, and it shaped how I see the world.”
Parenting with Neurodivergence: Lessons and Triumphs
Watching her children navigate their own neurodivergence gave Clara new insights into her parenting style. Jill, with her dyslexia, exhibits a knack for thinking outside the box. “She’ll leave the kitchen halfway through a task, go outside, and come back with a completely unexpected solution. She amazes me,” Clara shares.
Jack’s ADHD presents a different set of challenges. Highly literal and prone to blockers, he often struggles with focus. Clara credits exercise and a structured environment with helping him thrive. “When Jack hasn’t been active, everyone in the house knows it,” she jokes. To support him, Clara introduced practices like evening digital detoxes and supplements such as Lion’s Mane and Omega-3, which made noticeable improvements over time. (Who knew calming a Tasmanian devil could be as simple as a good run and some fish oil?)
The Creative Spark: Dyslexia as a Superpower
For Clara, dyslexia has been a driving force behind her creativity. She’s thrived in hands-on, dynamic environments where her innovative thinking shines. “I’ve always thrown myself into the deep end to see if I could swim. That’s how I learn,” she explains. Her dyslexia, far from being a limitation, has allowed her to approach challenges with fresh perspectives.
Clara’s experience aligns with broader trends observed among successful entrepreneurs. Notably, a study by the Cass Business School in London found that 35% of U.S. entrepreneurs and 20% of British entrepreneurs showed signs of dyslexia, compared to just 5–10% of the overall population.
Furthermore, a survey of 69,000 self-made millionaires revealed that 40% exhibited signs of dyslexia.
These statistics highlight how dyslexia can foster unique strengths, such as creativity and problem-solving skills, which are invaluable in the entrepreneurial world.
Holistic and Natural Approaches
A strong advocate for alternative therapies, Clara has explored various methods to support her family’s neurodivergence. For Jill, this included tools like the C Pen and personalised tutoring to rebuild her confidence in English after failing her 11+. Clara emphasises the importance of focusing on strengths rather than shortcomings.
For herself, Clara prioritises sleep, exercise, and mindfulness practices like breath work and gratitude journaling. She’s also a fan of ice baths for their mood-boosting and stress-reducing benefits, though she notes her kids aren’t exactly queuing up to join her. “Apparently, freezing for focus hasn’t caught on yet,” she laughs.
Dyslexia and Neurodivergence in Relationships
Clara’s journey with dyslexia has influenced her relationships, particularly with her children. Explaining her thought process to them, “There are seven things going on in my head at once, so you’ll have to get in the queue”, has fostered empathy and understanding within her family. It’s also reinforced the importance of embracing differences.
Advocacy and the Power of Normalisation
Clara’s experience has driven her to advocate for greater awareness and acceptance of neurodivergence. “Dyslexia isn’t a choice; it chooses you,” she says. By sharing her story, she hopes to inspire others to see neurodivergence as a strength rather than a setback. “It’s about normalising these experiences and showing that success comes in many forms.”
Dyslexia and Neurodivergence: Small Steps, Big Impact
For anyone navigating dyslexia and neurodivergence, Clara’s advice is simple: embrace your unique strengths, seek out resources that resonate with you, and never underestimate the power of self-compassion. Her journey underscores that dyslexia, far from being a barrier, can be a catalyst for creativity, innovation, and growth.
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